33rd Restaurant Festival on tap in West Chester

WEST CHESTER – An empty stomach and a healthy appetite are encouraged this weekend as the borough gets ready to host the 33rd annual Chester County Restaurant Festival.

“This is the biggest event in West Chester every year,” said Keith Kurowski, director of West Chester parks and recreation.

The festival will kick off at noon Sunday and continues through 5:30 p.m.

Boasting more than 60 food vendors and 130 crafters and booths, Kurowski said it’s easy to make a whole day out of the event.

Vendors are encouraged to offer some of their most unique and creative dishes that are still affordable – something organizers have pushed in recent years.

“There are a lot of sights and sounds and there is so much good food,” Kurowski said. “Virtually every kind of food you can think of will be there.”

Many vendors who participate are located in downtown West Chester, but the festival draws in participants from around Chester County

According to Kurowski, the recreation department expects somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 people to attend, and some will come from across the commonwealth and neighboring states.

With all those people, the festival is expanding this year to include portions of Market Street in addition to the traditional setup on Gay Street.

“Hopefully this will be the answer to the congestion we have had in years past,” Kurowski said.

While the borough hears a lot of positive feedback, Kurowski said the number one complaint it receives is congestion. This year the amount of vendors will be kept to about the same as previous years, but they will be more spread out on the additional street to ensure crowds and lines will not run together.

“Most people will probably overindulge, but you can handle one day, just walk around and work it off,” Kurowski said.

West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta said she thinks the expanded festival will make the event more pleasant for the guests.

“It really is a premier West Chester event,” Comitta said. “I love having all of the restaurateurs together in one place so you can sample this wide array of delicious food.”

Comitta said she enjoys the diverse people groups the event attracts and is excited to try some different dishes.

“I always try to find a vendor I haven’t been to before,” Comitta said.

Later in the day, The Chester County Cook Off will begin at 2 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Court House. The popular event enters its fourth year of competition this weekend as chefs attempt to claim the title of “Best Chester County Chef.” The competition consists of three courses – appetizer, entree and dessert – that the chefs will prepare and then be scored on by a panel of judges.

Last year’s winner, Jonathan Amann, executive chef of Amani’s BYOB, is returning this year to compete for his third title in a row. Should Amann win this year, Kurowski said he will be made a permanent judge for the competition.

The festival will also feature three stages with live music throughout the day and a beer and wine garden. Entry to the event is free though there is a $3 charge to enter the beer and wine garden, which helps support the borough’s “Send a Kid to Camp” fund. Alcoholic beverages must remain within the garden, though once the entry fee is paid guests are welcome to come and go as they please.

Roads used by the festival will be closed to traffic during the event. For parking, Kurowski said he suggests using one of the borough’s garages where it will cost $5 for the whole day. Electronic street message boards will be placed around the borough to help direct traffic.

The festival will take place on Gay Street between Matlack and Darlington streets and on Market Street between Darlington and High streets.

Organizers ask that guests leave their pets at home. A rain date for the festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 23.

For more information, visit the West Chester Parks and Recreation website at www.west-chester.com/recreation.php for a list of sponsors and times of performers.